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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Obsessive Cinematic Disorder: Traffic Stop Cameos

You might be asking yourself, “Surely there can’t be
multiple instances of actors appearing as officers stopping drivers for traffic
violations?” Prepare to have your mind blown (respectfully, with mind breakfast
afterwards).

Although with that being said, I’m still a little amazed at all of these
cameos. What is it about sticking a famous actor in the role of a highway officer?

Join me as I take a look at some of these faux cops.

Tim Blake Nelson Stops Fockers for Speeding

Our first example - from the underwhelming sequel Meet the Fockers - is
pretty standard. Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman are trying to chase down Robert
De Niro when actor/director/Hulk villain Tim Blake Nelson drops in to arrest
just about everyone.

He’s got a rubber boobie, indeed.

Michael McKean Stops Steve Martin and John Candy for Driving a Melted Car

McKean shows up to chastise John Candy and Steve Martin for their burnt out car
in Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Is there a better excuse for speeding
than a melted speedometer?

Poor Steve Martin. All he wanted to do is get home to his family. At least the
radio works, Officer McKean!

Gary Busey Stops Johnny Depp for Speeding

How do you make Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - a movie directed by
Terry Gilliam about gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s drug fueled
adventures in Vegas - even stranger? Gary Busey. Gary Busey is always the
answer when you’re trying to make something stranger. The actor appears in the
flick - which is chock full of cameos in general - as a highway patrolman
chasing Thompson as he flees Vegas.

Towards the end of the scene, Busey ad
libs a request for a kiss, and Hunter S. Thompson was supposedly
“horrified” by the improvisation. I find it hard to believe that anything
horrified Thompson.

The last person you want to be pulled over by is the T-1000 and Mr. Campbell
learns this the hard way in Wayne’s World. That icy attitude and all
that sleek metal. Schwing!

Chilling how Patrick takes off after the Mirthmobile on foot like that, isn’t
it? I’m not sure who he's looking for - the photo doesn’t look like John
Connor - but I’m going to assume that he’s another future resistance leader.

Getting pulled over can be nerve-wracking but remember, that cop or state
trooper might be one of America’s
sweethearts. So you might have to pay a speeding ticket, but at least you’ll
have a cool story to tell.

Great list Robert! I totally forgot about the Edward Norton cameo in the Invention of Lying because that movie just wasn't all that memorable in the first place. Wayne's World cameo was frickin' awesome though and probably the best thing Robert Patrick has done since T2. Know that's not saying much but still, you know what I'm saying.